Turn Back

The message of “Turn Back” comes from a powerful passage in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. These verses represent God’s response to Solomon after he dedicates the temple. God says, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among My people, if My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

In verse 13, God lists the potential consequences that could come upon the land: drought, locusts, and plagues. These are not merely random occurrences but are tied directly to the spiritual state of His people. This reveals a deep connection between obedience to God and the well-being of the land. Today, we often look to scientific explanations for natural disasters and pandemics. While those explanations can hold truth, here, God reveals that sometimes these events are meant to wake us up and lead us to repentance.

Recognizing the Consequences of Sin

Solomon, aware of human frailty, prays for God’s mercy over His people should they ever stray. This passage invites us to consider the spiritual consequences of our actions. Could the hardships we face today be linked to our disobedience? Solomon knew that as humans, we would fall short, so he interceded on behalf of his people, asking for God’s mercy.

Humble Yourself, Pray, Seek, Turn

In God’s response, He offers a roadmap to restoration: humble yourself, pray, seek His face, and turn from sin. Each step is crucial, yet the turning—repentance—is where many stumble. Turning back to God involves confessing our sins and renouncing them.

Sometimes, it takes a rock-bottom experience to push us to turn back. I’ve been there. After delivering my daughter, I suffered from severe health issues. I was in pain and desperate, feeling like I was at the end of my rope. In that moment, I realized how far I’d wandered from God. That was my turning point. It was rock bottom that drew me back, reminding me that God keeps us even when we don’t want to be kept.

Beware of Spiritual Drift

Today, it’s easy to drift from one church or conference to the next, seeking spiritual highs without confronting the need to truly turn back to God. God doesn’t owe us blessings when we refuse to obey. We need to check our hearts and ask ourselves if we’re humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face, and actively turning from sin.

The enemy isn’t afraid of our prayers or our humility alone. What scares him is when we, as believers, choose to turn from our sin.

Repent Like the Prodigal Son

Turning back requires humility. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 shows us that. The son’s real problem wasn’t his lack of money but his pride. When he came to his senses, he returned home, humbled and ready to be restored.

Pride often keeps us from acknowledging God. It blinds us to our own mistakes. Just as the prodigal son had to hit rock bottom, sometimes we have to lose our way before we realize the need to return. But it shouldn’t take that. We don’t need to experience disaster to turn back to God. Let’s not wait until it’s too late.

It’s Time to Turn Back

God is calling us to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. The promise of forgiveness and healing awaits us on the other side. But it’s conditional—IF we respond.

Today, God is asking for a response from His prodigal sons and daughters. He’s waiting with open arms, ready to forgive and restore us. Turning back to God isn’t just about words; it’s about aligning our actions with His will. God is waiting for us to come to our senses, to step back into His embrace, and to live in His power.

So, let’s turn back to God, humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face, and turning from our wicked ways. Only then will the promise be activated. Then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

This is the power of turning back, and today, God is looking for those who will say, I’m back. Will you turn back today?